Combined feeding and cold drawing mechanism for heading machines and the like



Sept. 9, 1941 L. BERKEBlL OMBINED FEEDING AND COLD DRA READING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Original Filed June 2,255,097 WING MECHANISM'FOR 27, 1958 s Sheets-She et 1 INVENTOR. L e e Berke b i Z ATTORNEY;

BERKEBIL 2,255,097 COMBINED FEEDING AND COLD DRAWING MECHANISM FOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 9, 1941.

READING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Original Filed June 27, 1938 2W: IAI

INVENTOR. Zee BerkebzZ ATTORNEY? Sept. 9, 1941. BERKEBIL 2,255,097

- COMBINED FEEDING AND COLD DRAWING MECHANISM FOR READING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Original Filed June 27, 1938 I -3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Lee fierke Z222 ATTORNEY .5

wM WM Patented Sept. 9, 1941 COMBINED resume AND COLD DRAWING MECHANISM FOR' READING MACHINES 'ANDTHE Lee Berkebil, Detroit, Manufacturing C Micla, asslgnor to W.

"notation of Michigan Original application ompany, Detroit, Mich, a cor June-.27, 1988, Serial No. Divided and this application March 25, 1939, Serial No. 264,249

28 Claim.

This invention relates generally to combined feeding and cold drawing mechanism for headingmachines and the like and constitutes a division of my application filed June 27, 1938, hearing Serial No. 216,134.

One of the essential objects of the invention is to provide the stock witha resiiient'stop for determining the length of blank to be cut by the shearing mechanism of the machine.

Another object is to provide a. stop that is operable when a length of stock slightly greater than that required for the blank is advanced toward the shearing mechanism to move the stock backward the proper distance to provide just the exact length to be sheared.

Another object is to provide the stock with a stop that will compensate for the displacement of the blank during the shearing operation.

Another object is to provide such a stop that may be adjusted to function properly for blanks of different lengths.

Other objects, advantages, and novel details of construction of this invention will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a sectional plan view of a heading machine to which my improvements are applied;

Figure 21s a side elevation of the feeding mechanism;

Figure 3 is a vertical central longitudinal section therethrough;

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal section on line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a similar view showing the parts in a different position of adjustment;

Figures 6 and 7 are end elevations of the cutoff and transfer means for the blank;

Figure 8 is a section on line 8-8 of Figure 7 showing the heading mechanism;

Figures 9, 10 and 11 respectively are similar views .iliustrating successive steps in the heading operation;

Figures 12 and 13 are diagrams illustrating the operating and timing mechanism:

Figure 14 is aplan view of a portion of Figure 1 showing a modified construction.

Referring now to the drawings, A is the bed or frame and -B is a reciprocating head slidably engaging ways C and actuated by a crank or eccentric D on the main driving shaft E through the medium of a connecting rod F. On the head B is mounted a vertically reciprocating slide 3' which carries a plurality of heading dies B and in a plane laterally oil-set from the plane of the I dies B, B. It is ,then cut 011 in predetermined lengthsand the blanks thus formed are transferred into the plane of the dies to be successively operated upon thereby. The mechanism for accompanying these functions includes a gear meshing gear wheel G in wheel G on the .shaft E which drives an intera one to two ratio. The gear wheel G is upon a shaft G which extends transversely of the 'bed parallel to the shaft E. At opposite ends of theshaft G are variable throw cranks G operating the stock feeding mechanism, and the other for operating the blank shearing and transfer mechanism. There is also a cam G on the shaft G which operates a mechanism for actuating the slide B so as to alternately place the dies B and B in registration with a cut-off blank in transferred position. More in detail and as shown in Figure 12, the crank G is provided with a crank pin H which is adjustable radially in a slot H to increase or diminish the throw thereof. A rod H connects this crank pin with an adjustable pin H oscillating a gear wheel I, the arrangement being such that for two revolutions of the crank shaft E one revolution is imparted to thecrank G Also the length of the are through which the gear wheel I is oscillated may be varied by adjustment of the crank pins H and H This gear wheel forms a part of my improvedstock feeding and drawing mechanism which will be hereinafter described.

B The stock for forming the blanks is advanced The crank G is connected by a rod J with a slide J which has a cam slot J engaging a pin J on a transversely movable slide J. The slide J actuates the shearing and transfer member J as will be later described.

The mechanism for operating the slide B is shown in Figure 13 and comprises a. slotted member K slidably mounted on a bearing K on the shaft G and reciprocated by the cam Cl which engages rollersK on said member K" The member K is connected to a rock arm K and a rock shaft K which extends transversely of the bed and has a rock arm K connecting the same with the slide B. The cam G is so fashioned as to intermittently actuate this mechanism to raise and lower the slide B with a dwell at each end of the movement thereof.

Connected to the bed A and arranged in a vertical plane which is laterally ofi-set from the plane of the dies B and l? is a frame L. This frame is formed in several sections including a and G the one for on the lever H for gaged by the feeder.

and L on Opp site sides thereof which. constitute slideways for stock feeders. The outer end of the frame is also floatingly supported by a pivotal link member L which raises from a supporting shape L The stock is advanced through the frame L in a direction from left to right, Figures 1 to 3, and for convenience in description I will designate the portion to the right as forward and that to the left as rear.

Extending across the bed A and the forward end of the frame L are a pair of shafts M and M which are in the same vertical plane and are connected to each other at one end by the intermeshing gear wheels I and I' fixed to the respective shafts. In central alignment with the frame L are rock 'arms M which are connected by links M and a sliding head N forming the forward feeder.

The slide head N of the forward feeder has spaced upper and lower portions forming wedge remainder of the stock and as the shearing mem-- I ber cannot itself move rearward; it necessarily surfaces N' which taper from forward to rear.

These portions are held in rigid relation to each other by side plates N and suitable splines (not is to be fed and during the forward movement of the head N the resistance or load will tend to throw the jaws rearward, thereby wedging the same to tightly grip the stock. On the other hand, when the member N is moved rearward, this will instantaneously release pressure on the jaws so as to permit the same to slide rearward over the stock. Springs N within the recess and bearing against the forward ends of the jaws will hold the same in frictional engagement within the stock. There are also bushings N' and N in the sliding head N for guiding the stock passing therethrough. Preferably these bushings are selected with respect to the diameter of stock to be passed therethrough, and similar bushings are provided for the feeder ,P which are of a diameter 1 corresponding to that of the stock before it passes through the sizing die 0. Still another bushing S is mounted at the rear end of the frame L and the stock is .first fed through this bushing and into operative relation to the jaws of the rear feeder P.

The intermediate section L' holds the die member O'through which the stock is passed to slightly reduce the diameter and finish the surface thereof.

Inasmuch as the feeder N is forward of the die 0 it is obvious that some additional means must be provided to advance the forward end of the stock through the die before it can' be en- For this purpose I have provided a second feeder P which is substantially the same in construction as the feeder N and therefore will not be described in detail. This second feeder is actuated by the feeder N through the medium of rods P. When thrown into operation the feeder P may be used for advancing the stock through the die 0 and into engagement with the forward feeder N.

Inthe operation of the machine the feeding mechanism may be adjusted to advance the stock during each forward movement an amount slightly greater than the length of blank which is desired. The stock is then moved slightly rearward so that the length actually sheared therefrom is exactly as predetermined. However, during the shearing operation the shear blade must be inserted between the severed blank and the forces the severed blank slightly forward. Heretofore machines of this kind have been provided with stops which during the shearing movement are rigid and held the forward end of the shear blank from any displacement. Such constructions however, are objectionable in not providing for the displacement of the blank during shearing; therefore I have designed an improved construction. As shown in Figure 1 this comprises a resilient member U secured to an ad- .iustable screw U and projecting laterallytherefrom into the path of the stock. The screw U may be adjusted so that the stop is in advance of the shearing plane a distance corresponding to the required length of blank. Consequently as the stock bar is overfed a certain amount it will impinge against this resilient stop and slightly displace it in a forward direction. However, upon the rearward movement of the feeder N the resiliency of the member U will force the stock rearward which is permitted by the freedom of the die 0 to slide rearward in the annular member 0'. To insure a positive action independent of the resiliency of the member U, a stop member U on the slide B is moved against the member U during alternate rearward movements of the head B. However, before the shearing of the blank takes place the positive stop is withdrawn which permits the flexible stop member U to be deflected forward the required amount.

A modification of the stop mechanism just described is illustrated in Figure 14 where the positive stop U is omitted. In-this construction the adjustable screw U is provided with a rigid laterally extending arm U at the end of which is mounted a movable stop member U. pressed rearward by the tension of a spring U and limited in this movement by a shoulder-U. This spring will permit the forward displacement of the stop U? during the overfeeding' of the stock bar and also when the blank is displaced by the shearing blade, but the tension' of the spring U is sufflcient to return the stop U to the limiting shoulder U when the feeder N is moved rearward. The functioning is thus exactly the same as that of the construction shown in Figure 1.

In operation, the stock which is preferably hot rolled and coiled is placed in a suitable holder (not shown) and its forward end is passed through the bushing S into engagement with the rear feeder P. After the required number of reciprocations of the feeder P the stock bar will 'be advanced into engagement with the die 0 and then forced through the latter. The forward advancement by the rear feeder is continued until "displace the same.

plane the projecting portion will be cut off and 4 in succeeding operations predetermined lengths will be advanced in-each operation. The length of advancement is determined by the adjustment of one or the other of the crank pins H and H to increase or diminish the amplitude of oscillation of the shafts M and M. This length may be somewhat in excess of the length desired for the blank so that the forward end will impinge against the resilient stop U or U and slightly As soon as the feeder N begins its return movement the resiliency of the stop will push the stock rearward carrying with it the die 0 which slides in the annular member When the construction shown in Figure 1 is used the stop U on the slide B will be brought in contact with the resilient stop U to insure a full return movement of the latter'to its normal position. However, when the construction shown in Figure 14 is used the tension of the spring U will be suilicient to return the stock against any frictional resistance, and the shoulder U will exactly determine its position. Thus, with either of the constructions the length of blank projecting beyond the shearing 'planeis predetermined.

The operations of shearing the blank, transferring it into the plane of the heading dies and alternate shifting of these dies into alignment with the blank are accomplished by the mechanism described. In brief, the movement of the slide .1 by the crank G will, through itsfcam slot .1, move the transverse slide J and shear member J". This shear member has mounted thereon a resilient clip V which holds the sheared blank to the shear member and carries it with it into the plane of the dies B and B, as shown A in Figures 6 and 7. The shape of the cam slot -J is such as to produce a dwell of the shear member when the blank is in the plane of the dies, and by reason of the one to two ratio of the gears G and G there will be two reciprcca-' tions of the head B to one reciprocation of the transfer member J Also between reciprocations of the head 13 the mechanism shown in Figure 13 will operate to move the slide B so that are illustrated in FIgUI'GSsB to 11 inclusive. Dur-V ing the shearing operation the thickness of the shear member will displace the blank in a forward direction and such movement is permitted by reason of the resiliency of the stops U or U. This is a desirable feature as otherwise the pressure of the blank against a rigid stop might tend to dislodge the same. Y

When the stock is being advanced by the rear feeder it is necessary to support the portion which is between the feeder and the die so as to avoid bending or buckling of the same. This is accomplished by supporting sleeves or bushings surrounding the stock, and as shown in Figure 3, there is a long sleeve W attached to the rear wall so that by adjusting the stop forward the amount of clearance can be reduced to the desired degree. When such adjustment is effected the stock will be advanced by the rear feeder in short steps so that the unsupported portion of the stock will be relatively short in length.

What I claim as my invention is: v

1. In a machine of thecharacter described, a bed having a passage for stock, means carried by said bed adjacent said passage for severing the stock to provide a-blank of predetermined length, means adjacent said bed for advancing the stock in said passage toward said severing means, and means operable independently of said advancing means when a length of stock greater than that required for a blank is advanced to push the stock backward in said passage the proper distance to obtain the proper length to be severed, including an adjustable screw carried by said bed, and a springcarried by said screw in the path of the' stock being advanced.

2. In a machine of the character described, a bed having a passage for stock, means carried by said bed adjacent said passage for severing the stock to provide a blank of predetermined length, means adjacent said bed for advancing the stock'in said passage toward said severing means, and means operable when a length of stock greater than that required for a blank is advanced to push the stock backwardin said passage the proper distance to obtain the proper length to be severed, including an adjustable elongated member carried by said bed substan tially in parallel relation to said passage, and a spring carried by said member in the path of the stock being advanced.

3. In a machine of-the character described. a bed having a passage for stock, means carried by said bed adjacent said passage for severing the stock to provide a. blank of predetermined length, means adjacent said bed for advancing the stock in said passage toward said severingmeans, and means operable when a length of stock greater than that required'for a blank is advanced to push the stock. backward in said passage the proper distance to obtain the proper of the section L and extending forward into proximity to the die 0, but leaving sumcient clearance for the floating movement of said die.

There is also a shorter bushing W at the formight be danger of buckling. To avoid such objection the stroke of the rear feeder may be diminished as much as desired by means of the adjustment screw Q This forms a stopwhich limits the rearward movement of the feeder P length to be severed, including an adjustable 4. In a machine of the character described, a

bed having a passage for stock, means carried by said bed adjacent said passage for severing the stock to provide a. blank of predetermined length, means adjacent said bed for advancing the stock in said passagetoward said severing means, and means operable when a length of stock greaterthan' that required for a blankwis advanced to push the, stock backward in said passage the proper distance to obtain the proper length to be severed, including an adjustable elongated member carried by said bed substantially in parallel relation to said passage an arm projecting laterally from said member, and a spring pressed stop for the stock carried by said arm at the free end thereof.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a bed, and a heading die carried thereby, of means for advancing stock toward said die, means intermediate the advancing 'means and die for shearing the stock, the advancing means being operable to advance the stock an amount greater than the .length of 6. In a machine of the class described, the

combination with a bed, and a heading die carried thereby, of means for advancing stock toward said die, means intermediate the advancing means and die for shearing the stock, the advancing means being operable to advance thestock an amount greater than the length of blank to be sheared, and means for obtaining exactly the desired length to be sheared, including a spring between the shearing means and die in the path of stock being advanced, an adjustable support for the spring carried by the bed, and an adjustable stop engageable with the spring to serve as a hacker therefor.

'I. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a bed, and a heading die carried thereby, of means for advancing stock toward said die, means intermediate the advancing means and die forshearing the stock, the advancing means being operable to advance the stock an amount greater than the length of blank to be sheared, and means for obtaining exactly the desired length to be sheared, including an adjustable bolt projectingfrom the bed,

a spring projecting from the bolt into the path of stock being advanced, and an adjustable stop engageable with the spring to serve as a hacker therefor.

8. In a machine of the. class described, the combination with a bed, a head slidableon the bed, a vertical slide on. the head, and a heading die carried by the vertical slide; of means for advancing stock toward said die, means intermediate the advancing means and die for shearing the stock, the ,advancing means being operable to advance the stock anamount'greater than the lengthof blank to, be sheared, and means for obtaining exactly the desiredv length to be sheared, including a spring between the shearing means and die in the path of stock being advanced, a support for the spring carried by the 4 bed, and a backstop for the spring carried by the vertical slide.

9. In a machine of the class described, a sizingdie for stock, means in advance of the sizing die and movable transversely of the sized stock for shearing a length of sized stock, means for advancing stock through the die past the shearing means to provide a length to be sheared, and means in advance of the shearing means for moving the stock backward the proper amount to provide the desired length to be sheared, said backward moving means being free and operable independently of the stock advancing means and being yieldable to provide for displacement of said length during the shearing operation, the die being immovable during advancement of the stock but movable with the stock during backward movement thereof.

10. In a machine of the class described, a sizing die for stock, means in advance of the sizing die and movable transversely of the sized stock for shearing a length of sized stock, means for advancing stock through the die past the shearing means to provide a length to be sheared, and

the resilient stop,

means in advance of the shearing 'means for moving the stock backward the proper amount to provide the desired length to be sheared, said backward moving means being free and operable independently of the stock advancing means and being yieldable to provide for displacement of. said length during the shearing operation.

'11. In a machine of the class described, a sizing die for stock, means in advance of said die for shearing sized stock, means for advancing stock through the die past the shearing means to provide a blank to be sheared, and means in advance of the shearing means for moving the stock backward the proper amount to provide the desired length of blank to be sheared, said means being tree and operable independently or the stock advancing means and including a. resilient stop and a positive stop, the resilient stop being normally in the path of the sized stock being advanced and capable of providing for the displacement of the blank'during the shearing operation, and the positive stop being a backer for said positive stop normally being out of the path of the sized stock and movable to and from operative backing position.

12. In a machine of the class described, means -for shearing stock, means for advancing stock provide a blankto be past the shearing means to sheared, and means in advance of the shearing means for moving the stock backward the proper amount to provide the desired length of blank to be sheared, said mea being free and operable independently of the stock advancing means and includinga resilient stop and a positive stop. the resilient stop being capable of providing for the displacement .of the blank during the shearing operation, and the positive stop being a hacker for the resilient stop.

13. In a machine of the ing die for stock, means in advance of said die for shearing sized stock, means for advancing stock through the die past the shearing means to provide a blank to be sheared, and means in advance of the shearing means for moving the stock backward the proper amount to provide the desired length of blank to be sheared, said means being free and operable independently of the stock advancing means and including two stops, one stop being capable of eration, and the second stop being an adjustable backer for the first mentioned stop, said second stop normally being out of the path of the sized stock and movable to a d from operative backing position.

14. In a machine of the class described, means for shearing stock, means for advancing stock past the shearing means to provide a blank to 1 be sheared, and means in advance of the shearing means for moving the stock backward the proper amount to provide the desired length of blank to be sheared, said means being free and operable independently of the stock advancing means and including .two stops, one stop being capable of providing for the displacement of the blank during the shearing operation, 'and the second stop being a backer for the first mentioned stop.

15. In a machine of the character described, means for severing stock to provide a blank of predetermined length, means for advancing the stock past said severing means, and means in the path of stock advanced and operable independeently of the advancing means when a length of stock greater than that required for a blank is class described, a sizproviding for the displacement of the blank during the shearing opadvanced past the severing means, to push the stock rearward the proper distance relative to said severing means to obtain the proper length to be severed, including a spring in the path of the stock being advanced, and an adjustable mounting for said spring, said spring providing ior displacement of the blank during the sever-' ing operation.

16. In a machine of the character described, the combination .with a heading die, and a movable support therefor, oi means for advancing the stock toward said heading die, means intermediate the advancing means and heading die for -means and heading die, operable to move the stock backward the proper amount relative to said shearing means so that exactly the desired length to be sheared may be obtained, said backward moving means being entirely free of the stock advancing means and including a spring in the path of the stock-yieldable to compensate for displacement of the blank during the shearing operation, and a stop member for the spring carried by the movable support for the heading die.

17. In a machine or the character described, the combination with a heading die, and a movable support therefor, 01 means for advancing the stock toward said heading die, means intermediate the advancing means and heading die for shearing the stock to produce a blank, said shearing means including a member operable to displace the blank in a forward direction. the advancing means being operable to advance the stock an amount greater than the length ofv blank to be sheared, a spring between the shearing means and heading die operable to move the stock backward the proper amount relative to' said shearing means so that exactly the desired length 1 to be sheared may be obtained and operable to compensate for displacement of the blank during the shearing operation, said spring being entirely free of the stock advancing means and constantly in the path of the stock, and a stop member for the spring carried by the movable support for the heading die.

18. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a bed, a slide on the bed, and a heading die carried by said slide, or means for advancing stock toward said die, means intermediate the advancing means and die for shearstock backward the proper amount relative to said shearing means so that exactly the desired length to be sheared may be obtained, said backward moving means including a spring in the path of the stock yieldable to compensate for displacement of the blank during the shearing operation, and'a stop member for the spring carried by said slide.

19. 'In a machine of the class described, the

combination with a bed, a slide on the bed, and a heading die carried'by'. said sli e. f me ns for advancing stock toward said die, means intermediate the advancing means and die for shearing the stock to produce a blank, said shearing means including a member operable to displace the blank in a forward direction, the advancing means being operable to advance the stock an amount greater than the length 01' blank tobe sheared, an adjustable member entirely free or the advancing means carried by the bed, and means between the shearing 'means and die carried by said adjustable member and operable to move the stock backward the proper amount relative to the shearing means so that exactly the desired length to be sheared may be obtained, said backward moving means including a spring in the path of the stock yieldable to compensate for displacement ofthe blank during the shearing. operation, and a stop member for the spring carried by said slide.

20. In a machine of the class described. means for shearing stock to produce a blank, said shearing means including a member operable to disto provide the desired length oi. blank to be sheared, said backward moving means being entirely free of the stock advancing means and including a spring in the path of the stock yieldable to provide for displacement of said blank 'for moving the stock backward the proper amount a during the shearing operation, and gmeans in.

advance of the spring serving as a rigid stop therefor.

- 21. In a machine of the class described, a siz- A ing die for stock, means in advance of said die and movable transversely of the sized stock for shearing a length of sized stock to produce a blank, said shearing means ,including a member operable to displace the blank in a forward direction, means for advancing stock through the die and past the shearing means to provide a length longer than the blank to be sheared, and means adjacent the shearing means for moving the stock backward the proper amount to provide the desired length to be sheared, said means being free of the stock advancing means and including a spring in the path of the sized stock being advanced capable of providing for the displacement of said blank during the shearing operation, and means in advance of the spring serv- I ing as a rigid stop therefor..

22. In a machine of the class described, means 0 for shearing a length of stock to provide a blank,

said shearing means including a member operable Y to displace the blank in a forward direction,

means for advancing stock past theshearing means to provide a length longer than the blank to be sheared, and means in advance of the shearing means for moving the stock backward the proper amount to provide the desired length to be sheared, said vmeans being free of the stock advancing means and including a spring in the" path of the sized stockbeing advanced capable of providing for the displacement of said blank during the shearing operation, and means in advance of said spring serving as a rigid stop therefor.

-23. In a machine of the class described, a shear movable transversely of longitudinally movable stock to cut a blank from the stock, said shear being operable to displace the blank longitudinally, means for advancing the stock longitudinally past the shear, and a gauge in advance of the shear for moving the stock backward the proper amount to provide the desired length of blank to be out, said gauge being entirely free of the stock advancing means and including a spring in the path or the stock operable to provide for longitudinal displacement of the blank while being out by said shear, and means in advance or said spring serving as a rigid stop therefor.

24. In a machine of the "character described, means for intermittently advancing the stock, shearing means for severing a blank from the stock, said shearing means including a member operable to displace the blank longitudinally, and a gauge for the length of blank to be severed 'in the path of the stock advanced and including a spring engageable with the stock and yieldable to permit a slight over-advancement and subsequent return of the stock to a predetermined point during the interval between successive advancements, and means in advance of said spring serving as a rigid stop therefor, said gauge being entirelyiree of the stock advancing means, the spring of said gauge permitting the longitudinal displacement of the blank during shearing.

25. In a machine or the character described, means for severing stock transversely to provide a blank of predetermined length, said severing means including a memberoperable to displace the blank in a forward direction, means for ad; vancing the stock past said severing means, and means entirely free of the advancing means and operable when a length of stock greater than that required for a blank is advanced past the severing means'to push the stock rearward the proper distance relative to said severing means to obtain the proper length to be severed, said means including a spring in the path of the stock capable of providing for displacement of the blank during the shearing operation, and means in advance of said springserving as a rigid stop therefor.

26. In a machine of the character described, means for severing stock to provide a blank of predetermined length, said severing means including a member operable to displace the blank in a forward direction, means for advancing the stock past said severing means, adjustably mounted means in the path of stock advanced and operable when a length of stock greater than that required for a blank is advanced past the severing means to.push the stock rearward the proper distance relative to said severing means to obtain the proper length to be severed,

vancing means and including a spring engageable with the stock and operable to permit the displacement atoresald, and means in advance of said spring serving as a rigid stop therefor.

27. In a machine of the character described, a bed having a passage for stock, means carried by said bed and movable-across said passage for severing the stock to provide a'blank of predetermined length, said severing means including a member. operable :to displace the blank in a forward direction, means for advancing the stock in said passage past said severing means, and means carried by said bed and operable when a length '01 stock greater than'that required for a blank is advanced past the severing means to push the stock rearward the proper distance relative to said severing means to obtain the proper length to be severed, said pushing means being entirely free of the advancing means and comprisinga rod connected to said bed and a spring carried by said rod in the path of the stock and operable to permit displacement of the blank during the severing operation. I

28. In a machine of the character described, a bed having a passagefor stock, means carried by said bed and movable across said passage for severing the stock to provide a blank of predetermined length, said severing means including a member operable to displace the blank in a forward direction, means-tor advancing the stock in said passage past said severing means, and a gauge operable when a length of stock greater than that required for a blank is advanced past the severing means to push the stock rearward the proper distance relative to said severing means to obtain the proper length to be severed, said gauge being entirely free of the advancing means'and including a member adjustably connected to the bed and a spring carried by said adjustable member in the path of the stock and operable to permit displacement of the blank during the severing operation.

' LEE BERKEBIL.

I said adjustably mounted means being entirely free of the ad- 

